My beloved Uncle Dean is on my mind much of late. He turns 91 this Friday (though he insists he's 93 because, he says, he feels he's 93). He may look frail and paper thin in his hospice room up north, but he remains a giant of a man for the life he lives within.
Despite his fading days, he lifts his hands in praise. Despite his failing strength he lifts his voice in prayer. He points to heaven and shouts, "I'll see you there!" It is both a promise (for he knows where he is going) and a challenge, for he has a burden for the gospel and sharing it with others.
"The worst thing that can happen," he confides, "the worst that can happen is that you find the way is shut and you hear the Lord say, 'Get away. I never knew you.'"
It breaks my heart when he cries, "And so many good, good people I know, people I love will hear those words."
And there, I think, is the reason he is still here with us in that little room up north. He still has work to do, prayers to offer, praise to make. He still sees the work God has laid out for him to do and, despite his dwindling days, he takes it up with purpose and with joy. He remains, indeed, a giant of a man, within and without.
Happy Birthday, Uncle Dean.
Epilog - April 2, 2013
Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast;
There by His love o’ershaded, Sweetly my soul shall rest.
Hark! ’tis the voice of angels borne in a song to me,
Over the fields of glory, Over the jasper sea.
- Fanny Crosby
Dean Marquis Huffstutler entered his promised rest at the invitation of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this morning. His release is a powerful, positive answer to prayer, yet bittersweet in that he will be deeply missed if only for a little while. Because He lives, Dean lives. (John 14:19)
